Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug used monthly in dogs and cats to prevent heartworm infection and for the treatment and control of hookworms and some forms of mange. This medication is available as regular tablets, chewable tablets and also as a topical solution.

What is Heartgard Chewables for Dogs?• Ivermectin is an anti-parasite drug
• Ivermectin is given by mouth

Reasons for prescribing heartworm preventation Rx:• For heartworm prevention in dogs and cats
• For treatment and control of adult and immature hookworm infections in cats
• For treatment of some types of mange

What dogs/cats should not take this Heartgard Chewables for Dogs?• Puppies and kittens less than 6 weeks of age
• Use with caution in Collies, Australian shepherds, Old English sheepdogs, Shelties and any of these crossbreed dogs
• Considered safe for use in young cats at the regular heartworm preventive doses
• Pets known to have had an allergic reaction to ivermectin or like products

Directions:

Give this medication with or without food. Ivermectin is bitter, so some pets may need the taste masked with food.

Ensure that your pet consumes the entire dose.

Give medication as directed by your veterinarian. This medication is often given seasonally.

As a heartworm preventative, this medication is given once a month, beginning within a month after the pet's first exposure to mosquitoes. The medication kills the parasites acquired during the previous month. The final dose should be given within a month of the last exposure to mosquitoes. Ideally, give the medication on or about the same day each month.

If this product replaces another type of heartworm preventive, the first dose must be given within 30 days after the last dose of the previous product.

What if dose is missed?

If a dose is missed, give it as soon as you can. If it is time already for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at the same time. If you miss more than 8 weeks in a row, give the drug as soon as you remember, but you should have your pet's blood tested for heartworms within 6 months (as infection may have occurred).

What to tell/ask veterinarian before giving Heartgard?

Talk to your veterinarian about:• When will your pet need to be rechecked
• Whether a blood test will need to be performed prior to treatment with this drug
• Risks and benefits of using this drug

Tell your veterinarian about:• If your pet has experienced side-effects on other drugs/products
• If your pet has experienced digestive upset now or ever
• If your pet has experienced liver or kidney disease now or ever
• If your pet has experienced any other medical problems or allergies now or ever
• All medicines and supplements that you are giving your pet or plan to give your pet, including those you can get without a prescription. Your veterinarian may want to check that all of your pet's medicines can be given together.

Storage and Warnings:

Store in a tight, light resistant, childproof container in a cool, dry place at room temperature away from heat and direct sunlight.

Dispose of this product properly as it is very toxic to fish, turtles and other wildlife.

People should not take this product. Keep this and all medication out of reach of children and pets. Call your physician immediately if you accidentally take this product.

Potential side effects of Heartguard Chewables:• Side effects are rare for ivermectin given at heartworm preventive doses
• Considered to be safe in pregnant and nursing animals
• Problems may arise at high doses in some dogs, especially Collies, Australian Shepherds, Old English Sheepdogs, Shelties and any of these crossbreed dogs. If your dog is one of these breeds, observe your pet for at least 8 hours after treatment for any signs of weakness, staggering, dilated pupils, trembling, etc. Take your pet to your veterinary clinic if s/he exhibits these symptoms.
• When the parasite begin to die off, the animal may experience swelling, irritation and pain at the sites where the parasites are located. Dogs with a large number of heartworm larvae (immature heartworm) may experience a shock-like reaction as the parasites die all at once.
• It is important to stop therapy and contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your pet has a medical problem or side effect from this product's therapy

Can this drug be given with other drugs?• Yes, when ivermectin is used at heartworm preventive doses, there are no contraindicated drugs. When higher doses are used (ie. for skin mites), interactions may occur with amitraz dips and collars (Mitaban®, Preventic®), spinosad (Comfortis™) or diazepam or related tranquilizers.
• If your pet experiences any unusual reactions when taking multiple medications, contact your veterinarian

Overdosing?

Contact your veterinarian immediately if pet consumes more than the prescribed amount.

What else should I know about Heartgard Chewables and Heartworm prevention?

Notify your veterinarian if your animal's condition does not improve or worsens despite this treatment.

As with all prescribed medicines, ivermectin should only be given to the dog/cat for which it was prescribed. It should be given only for the condition for which it was prescribed.

This is just a summary of information about ivermectin. If you have any questions or concerns about ivermectin or for the condition it was prescribed, contact your veterinarian.

Storage
Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container, protected from light.

Uses
Dogs: Ivermectin is used as a heartworm preventive. Products with pyrantel pamoate are also used for the treatment and control of roundworms and hookworms.
Cats: Ivermectin is used as a heartworm preventive and for the removal and control of hookworms.
Ferrets: Ivermectin is used as a heartworm preventive.
Do NOT use in turtles.

Dose and Administration
Always follow the dosage instructions provided by your veterinarian. If you have difficulty giving the medication, contact your veterinarian.
Follow your veterinarian?s directions on when to give this medication. If advised to give it seasonally, remember to give it during and 1 month beyond the mosquito season, preferably on the same date each month. The tablet kills the parasites acquired during the previous month. (The tablet given May 1st treats exposures to heartworm during the month of April.)
If a dose is missed, give the tablet imme­diately and resume giving a tablet every 30 days (once a month). Contact your veterinarian regarding the need to have your pet heartworm tested in 6­7 months.
Heartgard Chewable tablets should be chewed. If you think your pet will swallow them whole, break them into pieces before giving them. Tri­Heart Plus and Iverhart Plus chewable tablets will be equally effective whether chewed or swallowed whole.
If switching from diethylcarbamazine (a once­a­day heartworm preventive) give ivermectin within 30 days of discontinuing the diethylcarbamazine.
This medication should only be given to the pet for whom it was prescribed.

Possible Side Effects
Side effects are rare at the recommended heartworm prevention dosage.
If your pet experiences an allergic reaction to the medication or to dying parasites, signs may include facial swelling, hives, scratching, sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, shock, seizures, pale gums, cold limbs, or coma. If you observe any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Precautions
Not for use in animals who are hypersensitive (allergic) to it.
Studies support the safety of ivermectin products in dogs, including Collies, when used as recommended by the label.
Do not use in puppies or kittens less than 6 weeks of age.
Considered to be safe to use in pregnant and lactating animals (female animals nursing their young).
Consult with your veterinarian regarding necessary physical examinations and heartworm testing necessary prior to and during treatment with heartworm medications.
Some intestinal parasites may be zoonotic (able to infect humans). Ask your veter­inarian or physician how to prevent human infection and reinfection of your pet.
Properly dispose of unused ivermectin, as it may be toxic to fish and other animals.

Drug, Food, and Test Interactions
Although there are no known drug or food interactions with this medication, consult with your veterinarian before using ivermectin with any other medications, including vitamins and supplements, since interactions may occur.

Signs of Toxicity/Overdose
Dogs: May see staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, or dilated pupils.
Cats: May see agitation, vocalization, loss of appetite, dilation of pupils, staggering, tremors, blindness, head­pressing, wall­climbing, and disorientation.
Most animals recover in 2­4 weeks with supportive care. If you know or suspect your pet has had an overdose, or if you observe any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children and pets.

This information may not cover all possible uses, directions, side effects, precautions, allergic reactions, drug interactions, or withdrawal times. Always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet.

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This product was recommended to us for our dogs. So far it is doing what it should. We have no complaints. Our dogs love the chewables. They think it's a treat. We have a 94 lb., male, Weimaraner, a 20 lb., female, Shih Tzu & a 8 lb., male, Chihuahua.